If your IDPA club follows the rules then you will need to be a member before you can shoot the Classifier and for USPSA if you want to become classified so you can win something then you need a membership. USPSA is more run and gun fun hence the need for more mags while IDPA is tactically based and most gun fights are resolved with the gun mag and 2 spares.

They are separate organizations. You need to join IDPA to be classified by their rules, but you could shoot USPSA forever as unclassified without joining, however you can only compete at local clubs, not higher level matches. In IDPA you are only allowed to have a mag in the gun and 2 on the belt, in USPSA, wear as many as you want. They are both games, with different rules. IPDA was invented by Bill Wilson, an IPSC champion back in the day. Shoot both, see what you like.

. IPDA was invented by Bill Wilson, an IPSC champion back in the day. Shoot both, see what you like.

Not only was idpa invented by Bill Wilson. He OWNS it lock stock & barrel. He has the gold & he makes the rules. No committee, no polls, just his decisions.

Try both games, see which one you like best but you don't have to join uspsa to shoot at most local clubs. You will need to join idpa if you intend to shoot more than a couple of times. If you like both, sounds like the decision will be made for you. Also, if they are completely separate clubs, figure out which group of guys you fit in with better. Some clubs are just downright unfriendly to new guys so no sense in tethering yourself to those jerks.

I personally enjoy the run & gun freestyle you solve the problem yourself format of uspsa. I've never enjoyed people telling me "do this here, do that there & don't deviate or it is a penalty" but to each their own.

It is easier though to start idpa since they give you very specific instructions on what to do where.

MLM

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Give competition shooting a try... don't let yourself be scared off by the thought of how poorly you may do. It is a learning experience, and only those willing to swallow their egos and take the plunge will ever reap the rewards.

Personally if you find yourself shooting more than a couple of matches in either or both IDPA or USPSA then I'd think it only fair you support that organization by becoming a member.

And if you are close to any of the clubs you shoot at help as much as you can be it setup, teardown, helping with the scorekeeping at a match, pasting, etc. It's a ton of work for the people at the clubs to put on these matches.

Personally if you find yourself shooting more than a couple of matches in either or both IDPA or USPSA then I'd think it only fair you support that organization by becoming a member.

And if you are close to any of the clubs you shoot at help as much as you can be it setup, teardown, helping with the scorekeeping at a match, pasting, etc. It's a ton of work for the people at the clubs to put on these matches.

+1.

Leaving work early today to setup two stages for USPSA that I can reuse for 3-Gun the following week that I run.

In our area at least if you are willing to travel 1 hour you can shoot 3-4 matches month of IDPA and / or 3-4 matches a month of USPSA.